While searching, I found it remarkable how many manufacturers don't list sulphated ash on their data sheets.

Last night around 10pm I emailed Valvoline, Pennzoil and WPP (Supertech) for zinc and NOACK values for their oils, as each was either deficient in the data in the PDS, or there was no PDS. Before 830 eastern time, all three had responded. Pretty impressive.

Even the 20w-50 from these vendors have low ZDDP levels, and the 20w-50 oils have noack of <6%!

Since my 318i is specified for 20w-50 as a recommended oil, I may try it to see how consumption looks... Assuming the GTX 5w-30 I have in there is consumed fast.

Last night around 10pm I emailed Valvoline, Pennzoil and WPP (Supertech) for zinc and NOACK values for their oils, as each was either deficient in the data in the PDS, or there was no PDS. Before 830 eastern time, all three had responded. Pretty impressive.

Even the 20w-50 from these vendors have low ZDDP levels, and the 20w-50 oils have noack of <6%!

Since my 318i is specified for 20w-50 as a recommended oil, I may try it to see how consumption looks... Assuming the GTX 5w-30 I have in there is consumed fast.

Last night around 10pm I emailed Valvoline, Pennzoil and WPP (Supertech) for zinc and NOACK values for their oils, as each was either deficient in the data in the PDS, or there was no PDS. Before 830 eastern time, all three had responded. Pretty impressive.

Even the 20w-50 from these vendors have low ZDDP levels, and the 20w-50 oils have noack of <6%!

Since my 318i is specified for 20w-50 as a recommended oil, I may try it to see how consumption looks... Assuming the GTX 5w-30 I have in there is consumed fast.

Don't be shy... share what they told you.

Well valvoline was mostly useless. They post generic and vague numbers for noack, and that's all they could say.

Pennzoil confirmed that their zinc levels in their 10w-40 and 20w-50 were 800ppm.

WPP sent me full data sheets, and their zinc is 850ppm, but noack is 5.1for the 20w-50! Same zinc for the 10w-40, but noack is 13.5 for the hm and the regular. The 10w-40 hm is more viscous at 100c.

J:I do not know which engine you have---to tell you the truth, I've never even driven a BMW, but I can tell you, there is a PCV system. It may be primitive, or it may be a fixed port type, but you do have one.If you do not think you have one, and have never serviced it, maybe that is where the problem is?Steve

I do not know which engine you have---to tell you the truth, I've never even driven a BMW, but I can tell you, there is a PCV system. It may be primitive, or it may be a fixed port type, but you do have one.If you do not think you have one, and have never serviced it, maybe that is where the problem is?

Steve is right on this. The 318i (E30 series vehicle) was made from 1988-1992. All vehicles in that period had a PCV valve and oil vapor collection system. If the PCV valve becomes clogged, it can result in positive crankcase pressure, which can cause oil to leak around gaskets, like the valve cover gasket, or pass through shaft seals.

If you can locate the PCV valve, remove it and test it by shaking. If it rattles, it's okay. Otherwise, replace. For whatever reasons, it's not considered good style to clean a PCV valve.

In an earlier message, I suggested you concentrate on locating the cause of oil usage - leaking gaskets, bad shaft seals, bad valve stem seals, leaking past the rings, a bad head gasket. But, try to determine the cause first - then worry about fixes. There are fairly simple tests for each of these maladies. But some cures (e.g. a solvent added to the oil) may aggravate other problems (e.g. oil leaking past a gasket or past the rings). A shotgun approach will probably be counterproductive.

It does NOT have PCV with a valve. There are a set of breather hoses which are all clear and in fine shape. There are no external oil leaks, and the plugs stay good looking. I did have soom seepage from a spark plug hole seal but fixed that long ago with no change.

While newer iterations of the M42 used a disc shaped PCV valve, this one has just an open breather and no EGR either.

The lifter tick seems to have been due to some dirt that didn't come clean by other solvents and oils. It is gone. I was ok with replacement, but it was impossible to identify which one specifically was the ticker. Remember that once warmed up, it was silent. So my cost would have been $16x16, not a ton of money but I'm glad if it's gone.

As far as consumption, I'm not counting on any of this to fix it. Chasing it down may or may not occur. Given that my OM specs 20w-50, I may try that. Most of my driving is high speed interstate with rpms at 3500 or more. Every decent OM out there indicates that high speed driving can cause consumption and that a heavier oil may be needed. Easy test, especially since 20w-50 oils have NOACK of 5 vs 10-15 even for 40wt oils. Easy experiment. I can assure everyone that the breather system is clear and open. Considering that we will be buying a minivan before too long, the car runs beautifully, good MPGs, and there are no obvious leaks (park on white concrete without any issues or spots) the extent that I spend time on this versus our 16 month old is dubious.

One quick thought: there are more than a few forums devoted to BMW automobiles. On such a forum, you might determine what is normal oil usage for your vehicle. Some vehicles simply use more oil than others. Your usage might be 'normal'.

It does NOT have PCV with a valve. <snip> While newer iterations of the M42 used a disc shaped PCV valve, this one has just an open breather and no EGR either.

The breather hoses probably go to the valve cover, right?

Are you sure someone hasn't removed the PCV valve? It's been years since I've been under the hood of this vehicle, but it should be located next to the outlet elbow and look vaguely like this (well, not totally trashed ;-):

A little over 300 miles in, but zero, absolutely no consumption... And this is on very old GTX 5W30... It had been consuming Supertech in the same grade very readily at the same rate as was historically seen...